Inspired by the story "The Talking Cloth" (from our anthology, Houghton Mifflin Reading/ California), our class made a simplified version of African Adrinka Cloth.
After showing the class examples of Adrinka stamps, cloths, and artisans; and discussing the meaning of certain motifs; we were ready to create out own cloth.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-npP7DXJ6xspHUClcCLiJ6F2CvUN0hgTnfEa9fTo_c4NaFUwyDxtesdikBflmhGGdgZD3oUX5Z0-qzv0876aG9PMJ7FmJegVoHOlN6kODKVP-MquccnEyg9qdcViNjZu1CELOV7jTTHT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-01+at+7.53.25+PM.png) |
African Adinkra Cloth from Ghana |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd38SBuaK4uL-ilf4Pw2cxyNkibIm4dt-h59Xh-r1tzQ8VqR-4uEwnP2Vc_EzDi5gij7vdF0FtwbjCuAV5mUsVipYwB5dvsBZzDxLrq8ZPtt5cKyBI2nhAPEJZnF7r3HlRVwTJBmxxNlY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-01+at+7.54.03+PM.png) |
Calabash stamps are softened for a year with shea butter, then a symbolic pattern is carved. |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFJbfFOTH0vx6Y4d6mtNwBp3HypH61Ur2MTzUPDVo_x1Sp_CFr7F3TKABeeQHmjpZKcBFYHtII4ZsxkJW6PICGZHP8tJpOV-pU_u_SK1-pC9kQfswGAbk5fgx9yoq9eL6qztZBe0lejlH/s1600/Adinkra22Printing.jpg) |
The stamp is dipped in dye, then gently rocked to print the image onto the fabric. | | |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Qx39eaJUWWUp58Mw5w8RPsouXJyeXuUHILApKlJYhGHFvqU4wZZjZgilqZrJKYPWLlU1uAqdHvT4OCZ2axzvOrD7ZsIZGvB0_feihLZ84IIJxFk5MJ03wxI2uh1iLF08xTEU2W79u9u/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-01+at+7.55.03+PM.png) |
The symbol is repeated within rectangular borders | | | | | | |
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Photos included with permission of Dr. Carol Ventura
Our Adinkra Cloth Project:
Each child used half of a potato which they carved into a stamp. They
cut simple geometric designs using a pumpkin carving tool. Next, they
painted black tempra paint onto the surface of the stamp. Afterward, they
practiced stamping a piece of paper, then were given a scrap of
fabric to create a repeated design using their stamp multiple times.
Later, I tacked each cloth onto a large piece of fabric.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWEJry080YCURL4tqeq6LUYj_RPnvfJYACgPb84kDk8MqHfn6rEFcUhFeQviFqb_5ICNJXiIfs4jyvl42vVNE7EFXxn1bXwNUGw1NbMvlxFIhgQAJPNx9Pm-Om_D0EaTIdW3JiRGveNUF/s640/IMG_0876.JPG)
As a cross curricular connection, I had each child choose a character trait from Character Counts and record the meaning of their personal symbol.
Example: "My Adinkra Cloth symbol stands for trustworthiness. It tells us to have the courage to do the right thing."
Love the handmade Adinkra Cloths!
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